Boat ramp



Jan. 4, 1966- Filed July 17, 1963 M. L. JACOBS 3,227,292

BOAT RAMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 TIC-i1 INVENTOR MARCELLUS LAncoas ATTORNEYS Jan. 4, 1966 M. L. JACOBS 3,227,292

BOAT RAMP Filed July 17, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR MARCELLUS Llncoas ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,227,292 BOAT RAMP Marcellus L. Jacobs, Rte. 3, Box 722, Fort Myers, Fla. Filed July 17, 1963, Ser. No. 295,668 Claims. (Cl. 214-1) This invention relates to ramps, and more particularly to a new and improved ramp for removing boats from water, for launching boats into water, and for maintaining 'boats'in a stored position so that they are maintained elevated above the water in a slightly inclined position whereby any water in the boats may be easily drained by gravity therefrom. Y

Briefly, the boat ramp comprising this invention includes an elongated frame mounted on a horizontal axis above normal high Water level whereby the ramp may be pivoted so that one end thereof may extend into the water. A plurality of aligned rollers are mounted on the frame and a rotatable pulley is mounted on the other end of the frame above the rollers. A winch is fixedly mounted adjacent to and below the pulley. The winchdneludes a cable that extends upwardlvover the pulley and is adapted to be releasably connected 'to the bow of a boatso that 'When the winch is operated the cable pulls the boat over ramp that is pivotally mounted in such a manner that the ramp may be inclined so that one end of the ramp extends into Water whereby a boat may be easily removed from the water by pulling it up onto the ramp and launched into the water by permitting gravity to move the boat down the ramp, and the ramp may be pivoted to a horizontal position whereupon the boat is elevated above the Water in a slightly inclined position so that by simply removing a drain plug, all the water in the boat may be drained therefrom.

It is another object of the invention to provide a boat ramp that is pivotally mounted so that it may be used for removing or launching a boat from or into water regardless of the level of the water. t

It is another object of the invention to provide a pivoted boat ramp that includes adjustable means whereby the ramp may be adjusted for properly balancing a boat thereon and the ramp may be so adjusted that it will automatically return to a substantially horizontal position by gravitational forces when there is no boat on the ramp.

It is another object of the invention to provide a boat ramp having power operated means for pulling a boat onto the ramp and including remote control means located at the lower end of the ramp whereby the power operated means may be controlled by the boat operator while the boat is still in the water, and the power means also includes automatic cut-off means for automatically cutting off the power means when the boat is fully installed on the ramp.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a pivotally mounted boat ramp that includes a pivotal mounting means which is so designed that the ramp may be removed from its normal position merely by lifting it upwardly or tilting it to one side.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a boat ramp that is pivotally mounted and includes a winch for pulling a boat onto the ramp and the Winch is so 10- cated that it maintains the ramp in snug engagement with the bottom of the boat being pulled onto the ramp and forces the ramp to a substantially horizontal position once the boat i-s'fully installed thereon.

It is still yet another object of this invention to pro videa boat ramp having novel roller means on one end thereof for engaging the bottom of a boat so as to support it in a stabilized manner and the roller means inchides adjustable means whereby the angle of inclination of the roller means may be adjusted to properly fit and support the bottom of the boat.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a novel boat ramp that is pivotally mounted in such a manner that when a boat on the ramp is released, the ramp will tilt to a relatively steep angle whereby gravity will pull the boat down the ramp and automatically launch it into water.

It is still yet another object of this invention to provide a boat ramp that will not only launch a boat into a body of water regardless of the level of the water, but also the ramp is relatively short, economical to manufacture, reliable in use, and requires a minimum of maintenance.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the boat ramp showing a boat supported thereon;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the boat ramp;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit for controlling the power means on the boat ramp;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross section view taken substantially 0n the plane of line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one end of the boat ramp;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the boat ramp and showing a boat being pulled thereon.

As illustrated in the drawings, wherein like reference numerals throughout the various views indicate identical parts, the boat ramp 10 includes a frame 12. Frame 12 includes a central elongated beam or keel 14 which is substantially U-shaped in cross section and comprises parallel side plates 16 secured to a bottom plate 18 so as to define a rectangular pulley chamber 20. A plurality of substantially coplanar, parallel and spaced pins or axles 22 extend through the upper edges of the side plates 16 and are secured thereto A keel roller 24 is rotatably journalled on each of the pins 22 within pulley or roller chamber 20. Each of the rollers 24 is formed with a central peripheral groove '26 which is arcuate or V-shaped in cross section so as to receive and fit the keel 26 of a conventional boat or runabout 28.

An end plate or beam 28 is secured at its center to one end of beam 14, and is provided with a rectangular notch 30 aligned with and the same size and shape as the cross section of roller chamber 20. A roller 24 is also rotat ably mounted Within notch 30,

Aroller support 32 comprising a rectangular plate is adjustably connected to each of the ends of the beam 28 by means of a pair of bolts 34 extending through bores in the beam 28 and vertical slots in the roller plate is aligned with the bores. Each roller plate 32 is forced tightly against beam 28 by means of a washer 38 and a nut 36 threaded on the end of each of the bolts 34. A pair of spaced parallel ears 42 and 44 project upwardly from each end of each roller plate 32, an axle 46 extends between and through each pair of cars and rotatably journals an elongated stabilizing roller 48 therebetween. A diagonal brace 50 is secured between each of the ends of beam 28 and a central portion of each side plate 16.

A post 52 of substantially the same width as keel 14 is secured to the forward end of the keel so as to extend substantially perpendicular thereto. A lower end of the post may be notched so as to extend between the side plates 16. The post is braced by a pair of diagonal braces 54 which extend diagonally between opposite sides of the post and opposite sides of keel 14. The upper end of post 52 is notched so as to receive a pulley 56 which is rotatably mounted within the notch on an axle or pin 59.

Preferably, end plate 28 is reinforced by horizontal sill plate 58 which is secured to the lower edge of the end plate 28 and the rear ends of diagonal braces 50 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

An elongated support plate 60 extends under the central portion of keel 14 and braces 50 in perpendicular relationship to the keel as shown in FIG. 2. A pair of parallel clamping plates 62 and 64 straddle each end of support plate 60 so as to extend over a brace 50 and under the support plate 60. A pair of nut and bolt assemblies 66 are passed through aligned apertures in the ends of the clamping plates 62 and 64 so as to draw them into snug engagement with each brace 50 and each end of plate 60 so as to adjustably clamp them together.

A pivot shaft 68 extends under plate 60 so that the ends of the shaft project beyond the ends of the plate as shown in FIG. 2. Shaft 68 is rigidly secured to plate 60 by a pair of U-bolts 70.

The boat ramp is preferably mounted on the bottom 72 of a cut formed within the bank or shore of a body of water such as a canal or river containing water '74. The mounting means for the boat ramp includes a suitable foundation 76 preferably composed of concrete recessed within the cut bottom or bank 72. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, foundation 76 may comprise a pair of spaced blocks. A pair of spaced saddles 78 are secured in upstanding relationship to foundation 76 by means of bolts 80. The saddles 78 may be of any suitable shape, but each contains a U-shaped or semicircular notch 82 in its upper surface so as to receive and rotatably journal the ends of shaft 68.

A vertical winch post 84 is mounted on a suitable foundation 87 adjacent the forward end of keel 14. The lower end of post 84 has secured thereto a pair of angle members 86 which have bores formed in the lower legs thereof for receiving the upper ends of studs 88 imbedded in the foundation 87. Angle members 86 and post 84 are secured to foundation 87 by wing nuts 90 threaded on the upper ends of studs 88 and urging the angle members tightly into engagement with foundation 87.

A horizontal platform 92 is secured to the top of post 84 as by angle members 94 bolted to the platform and post.

An electric motor 96 is bolted on platform 92, and a winch drum 98 is rotatably mounted on the platform to the rear of the motor. Motor 96 is drivingly connected to the winch drum 98 by means of a transmission or reduction gearing 100 so as to drive the drum at a reduced speed. One end of cable 102 is secured to and wound upon drum 98. The other end of cable 102 is secured to a conventional hook 104.

As shown in FIG. 3, motor 96 is connected to a conventional source of electricity by conductors 106, 108, 110, 112, automatic cut-off switch 114 and manually controlled switch 116 connected in series with the conductors. The automatic cut-off switch 114 is mounted on the upper rear face of post 52 and includes a conductive plate 118 normally urged by a spring 120 into engagement with a pair of spaced contacts on the ends of conductors 108 and 110. A push button 122 is secured to the plate 118 and extends rearwardly therefrom between the contacts. Switch 116 is preferably mounted on the underside of platform 92 and is of the toggle operated over center type. As shown in FIG. 3, switch 116 may include a toggle or lever 124 pivotally mounted at its center to platform 92 and having a lower end projecting below the platform with an aperture or bore 126 formed therethrough for receiving a portion of a circular loop of cable 128 which is secured to lever 124 as by lugs 130. The upper end of lever 124 includes a contact 132 engageable with a contact at the end of conductor 112. An over center compressed coil spring 134 is connected to the upper end of lever 124 so as to hold contact 132 in engagement with contact 136 or to hold contact 132 spaced from contact 136. Operating cable 128 is looped around a first pulley 138 rotatably journalled on the underside of platform 92, and is also looped over a second pulley 140 which is rotatably mounted on a post 142. Post 142 is mounted on the bottom of the body of water 74 so as to be located rearwardly of and laterally of keel 14 as shown in FIG. 6. By moving the cable 128 as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6, the manually operated toggle switch 116 may be selectively snapped to both on and off positions.

Ramp 10 may be used for launching or docking any conventional boat such as a runabout 144 which includes a conventional hull 146 having a rounded or sloping bottom and a central keel 148. An eye bolt 150 is secured to the bow of the boat for selectively receiving the hook 104. The rear of the hull 146 is provided with a removable drain plug 152 in the bottom thereof as shown in FIG. 1.

A stop pad 154 is secured on foundation 87 rearwardly of post 84.

After installation, the frame 12 is adjusted longitudinally relative to pivot shaft 68 by loosening and re-tightening nut and bolt assemblies 66 so that the center of gravity of the entire frame is slightly forward of shaft 68 so that the frame will be rotated by gravity in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 and the forward end of the frame is supported on pad 154.

When using the boat ramp 10 for docking, the operator of the boat maneuvers it adjacent the rear end of the ramp and manually tilts the ramp so that the rear end thereof extends into the water 74. The operator then aligns the boat with the ramp and moves the boat so that the bow thereof passes over the rollers 48 and the rear rollers 24 as illustrated in FIG. 6. Since the frame 12 is so balanced that it tends to return to a substantially horizontal position, the rollers 48 and the rear rollers 24 are forced adjacent the keel and the undersurface of the hull of the boat. Since the elongated stabilizer rollers 48 are adjusted at an angle to properly contact the bottom of the hull and since the keel of the boat sits within the grooves 26 of rollers 24, the boat is automatically maintained in alignment with the ramp and is prevented from swinging by lateral forces caused by wind and current. Cable 102 normally extends over pulley 56 thus permitting the operator to extend hook 104 through eye bolt 150. The operator then closes toggle switch 116 by moving cable 128 so as energize motor 96 which then rotates winch drum 98 so as to pull boat 144 upwardly onto the rollers 24 and 48. Since pulley 56 is always a substantial distance above winch drum 98, cable 102 exerts a downward pull on the forward end of frame 12 thereby urging the rollers on the rear end of the frame firmly into engagement with the bottom of the boat. This is very important as it positively prevents the boat and ramp from separating and maintains the keel of the boat within the grooves 26 and the bottom of the boat snugly against the rollers 48 so as to prevent the boat from swinging laterally by forces created by wind or current. As the boat is pulled onto the ramp, the downward force exerted by cable 102 on pulley 56 gradually rotates frame 12 about the axis of shaft 68 towards a horizontal position until eventually the forward end of the frame is supported on pad 154 and the bow of the boat contacts push button 122 so as to open switch 114 and de-energize motor 96 automatically.

After the boat is fully on the ramp as illustrated in FIG. 1, it is still slightly tilted towards the water 74 lowest level.

whereupon by removing the plug 152 the operator may easily drain any liquids from the boat.

Preferably, when the boat is fully installed on the ramp, the center of gravity of the boat and of the pivotal portion of the ramp is between shaft 68 and sill plate 58 or slightly rearwardly of shaft 68, so that gravity will automatically cause the ramp to raise at the forward end when the cable is released and will cause the boat to roll down the ramp towards the water 74. When the ramp pivots clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1 so as to increase the angle of inclination thereof, the boat is pulled by gravity rapidly into the water for launching. Of course, before moving the beat down the :ramp, the operator moves cable 128 so as to open toggle switch 134. After the boat is launched into the water 74, the operator uncouples hook 104 from eye bolt 150 and the ramp frame 12 is automatically returned by gravity to its substantially horizontal position as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Since winch drum 98 is always below pulley 56 as illustrated in FIG. 1, cable 102 which extends over pulley 56 exerts a downward force on the pulley and post 52 so as to hold the forward end of frame tightly on pad 154. If the transmission 100 is of the conventional worm and pinion type, it functions as a lock so thattension on cable 102 will not rotate drum 98, and to unwind cable 102 from drum 98 it is only necessary to operate motor '96 in reverse. The winch may also be locked by a conventional hand brake.

If desired, a chain 160 may be secured to the bottom of post 84 or stop pad 154 and adjustably connectedto a hook 162 on the upper end of post 52 so as to provide an additional means for securing the ramp on the pad 154. The chain may also be adjustably connected to hook 162 to provide a stop for limiting downward pivotal movement of the rear end of the ramp.

Although tides and other factors may cause the level of water 74 to vary, the ramp is so located that it will always maintain boat 144 above the high water mark and due to the pivotal movement of the ramp it will satis f-actorily launch the boat even when the water is at its If it is desired to launch ordock a boat by means of a conventional boat trailer at the cut 72, frame 12 may be easily moved out of the way by lifting it from the saddles 78 and tilting it to one side. The winch and post 84 may be easily moved out of the way merely by unscrewing the wing nuts 90 and lifting the post from foundation 87. The saddles 78 are spaced apart a distance less than the tread of a conventional boat trailer so that the wheels of the trailer may straddle and pass to either side of the saddles for launching or docking a boat.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the conductors 108 and 110 may be contained in a single insulator and connected to switch 114 by a :plug and socket means so that the conductors may be easily disconnected from the switch.

If desired, winch 98 may be, operated by a manual crank or the motor 96 may bet-of the reversible type so that it may be used for both launching and docking a boat.

Inasmuch as various changes may be made in the form, location and relative arrangement of the several parts without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention, it will be understood that the invention is not to be limited except by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A boat ramp structure permanently located at the waters edge for launching and docking a boat and for elevating the boat above a body of water comprising a frame adapted to support said boat thereon, and pivot means located above high water level pivotally mounting said frame so that one end of said frame may be pivoted adjacent to the waters surface even at low tide whereby the boat may be moved onto and off said frame, the center of gravity of said frame being positioned on the other side of said pivot meansfrom said waters edge so that the said frame will be totally clear of the water when not in use, a winch drum rotatably mounted on i a fixed axis adjacent said other end, a cable having one end secured to said winch drum, cable guide means mounted on said other end of said frame above said winch for guiding said cable, means on the other end of said cable for securing it to said boat, an electric power means drivingly connected to said winch drum and a normally closed cut-off switch mounted on said other frame end and connecting said power means to a source of electricity, said cut-off switch including a switch operator adapted to be contacted and opened by the bow of said boat, said cut-off switch being positioned relative to the pivot means such that the combined center of mass of the frame and boat mounted thereon will lie on that side of the pivot means adjacent the waters edge when the bow of the boat opens said cut-off switch.

2. A boat ramp for launching and docking a boat and for elevating the boat above a body of water comprising a frame adapted to support said boat thereon, pivot means pivotally mounting said frame so that one end of said frame may be pivoted adjacent the waters surface, whereby the boat may be moved onto and off said frame and said frame may be pivoted to a substantially horizontal position above said water, stop means for limiting downward pivotal movement of the other end of said frame, said frame being inclined toward said water when its other end is supported on said stop means, a winch drum rotatably mounted on a fixed axis adjacent said other end, a cable having one end secured to said winch drum, cable guide means mounted on said other end of said frame above said winch for guiding said cable, means on the other end of said cable for securing it to said boat, electric power means drivingly connected to said winch drum, a normally closed cut-off switch mounted on said other frame end and connecting said power means to a source of electricity, said cut-off switch including a switch operator adapted to be contacted and opened by the bow of said boat, a manually operated switch connected in series with said power means and cut-oif switch, switch operating means at opposite ends of said boat frame connected to said manually operated switch whereby said manually operated switch may be operated from either end of said frame.

3. A boat ramp for launching and docking a boat and for elevating the boat above a body of water comprising a frame adapted to support said boat thereon, pivot means pivotally mounting said frame so that one end of said frame may be pivoted into the water whereby the boat may be moved onto and off said frame and said frame may be pivoted to a substantially horizontal position above said water, stop means for limiting downward pivotal movement of the other end of said frame, said frame being inclined toward said water when its other end is supported on said stop means, a winch drum rotatably mounted on a fixed axis adjacent said other end, a cable having one end secured to said winch drum, cable guide means mounted on said other end of said frame above said winch for guiding said cable, means on the other end of said cable for securing it to said boat, electric power means drivingly connected to said winch drum, a normally closed cut-off switch mounted on said other frame end and connecting said power means to a source of electricity, said cut-off switch including a switch operator adapted to be contacted and opened by the bow of said boat, a manually operated switch connected in series with said power means and cut-off switch, switch operating means at opposite ends of said boat frame connected to. said manually operated switch whereby said manually operated switch may be operated from either end of said frame, said switch operating means including a switch toggle, a pair of spaced rotatably mounted pulleys and a flexible loop extending around said pullleys and connected to said toggle.

4. A boat ramp as defined in claim 3, wherein one of said pullleys is mounted adjacent said winch drum and the other pulley is mounted on a post in said water.

5. A boat ramp structure permanently located at the waters edge for launching and docking a boat and for elevating the boat above a body of water comprising a frame adapted to support said boat thereon, and pivot means located above high water level pivotally mounting said frame so that one end of said frame may be pivoted adjacent to the waters surface even at low tide whereby the boat may be moved onto and off said frame, the center of gravity of said frame being positioned on the other side of said pivot means from said waters edge so that the said frame will be totally clear of the water when not in use, including stop means for limiting downward pivotal movement of the other end of said frame, said frame being inclined toward said water when its other end is supported on said stop means, and a chain having one end secured to said stop means and another end releasably connected to said frame at a point above said one end of said chain.

6. A boat ramp for launching and docking a boat and for elevating the boat above a body of water comprising a frame adapted to support said boat thereon, pivot means pivotally mounting said frame so that one end of said frame may be pivoted adjacent the water so that the boat may be moved onto and off said frame and said frame may be pivoted to a substantially horizontal posi tion above said water, stop means for limiting downward pivotal movement of the other end of said frame, drawing means located adjacent the other end of said frame for pulling the boat onto the frame, arresting means mounted on the frame adjacent the other end thereof for limiting the movement of the boat onto the frame while the combined center of mass of the boat and frame is on that side of the pivot means containing the said one end.

7. A boat ramp as defined in claim 6 wherein, said arresting means comprises a cut-off switch for said drawing means which functions to terminate the operation of the drawing means when said cut-off switch is contacted by the boat.

8. A boat ramp for launching and docking a boat and for elevating the boat above a body of water comprising a frame adapted to support said boat thereon, pivot means mounting said frame so that one end of said frame may be pivoted adjacent the water so that the boat may be moved onto and off said frame and said frame may be pivoted to a substantially horizontal position above said water, drawing means fixedly mounted adjacent said other end for pulling a boat from the water up onto the frame, a switch connected to said drawing means for the operation thereof, switch manipulating means extending parallel to said frame for operation of the said drawing means at any point along the length of the said switch manipulating means.

9. A boat ramp structure permanently located at the waters edge for launching and docking a boat and for elevating the boat above a body of water comprising a frame adapted to support said boat thereon, and pivot means located above high water level pivotally mounting said frame so that one end of said frame may be pivoted adjacent to the waters surface even at low tide whereby the boat may be moved onto and off said frame, the center of gravity of said frame being positioned on the other side of said pivot means from said waters edge so that the said frame will be totally clear of the water when not in use, stop means for limiting downward pivotal movement of the other end of said frame, and said frame being inclined toward said water when its other end is supported on said stop means.

10. A boat ramp for launching and docking a boat and for elevating the boat above a body of water comprising a frame adapted to support said boat thereon, and pivot means pivotally mounting said frame so that one end of said frame may be pivoted adjacent to the waters surface in order that the boat may be moved onto and off said frame and said frame may be pivoted to a substantailly horizontal position above said water, electric power means, winch means and cable means drivingly connected to said power means, and a switch extending along the length of the frame to a point above the water beyond the end of the frame for operation of said power means by manipulation of the switch at any point therealong.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 468,559 2/1892 Chatfield 214506 2,708,045 5/1955 Shontz 214506 2,721,740 10/1955 Skelley. 2,754,017 7/1956 Hart 214505 2,763,384 9/1956 Foster 21484 2,834,492 5/1958 Roy 214505 2,915,209 12/1959 Layne 214506 2,919,825 1/1960 Hornsby 214506 2,932,415 4/1960 Brown 21482 3,057,493 10/1962 Cameron 214505 X 3,118,652 1/1964 Viola 254-173 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, GERALD M. FORLENZA,

Examiners. 

10. A BOAT RAMP FOR LAUNCHING AND DOCKING A BOAT AND FOR ELEVATING THE BOAT ABOVE A BODY OF WATER COMPRISING A FRAME ADAPTED TO SUPPORT SAID BOAT THEREON, AND PIVOT MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID FRAME SO THAT ONE END OF SAID FRAME MAY BE PIVOTED ADJACENT TO THE WATER''S SURFACE IN ORDER THAT THE BOAT MAY BE MOVED ONTO AND OFF SAID FRAME AND SAID FRAME MAY BE PIVOTED TO A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL POSITION ABOVE SAID WATER, ELECTRIC POWER MEANS, WINCH MEANS AND CABLE MEANS DRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO SAID POWER MEANS, AND A SWITCH EXTENDING ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE FRAME TO A POINT ABOVE THE WATER BEYOND THE END OF THE FRAME FOR OPERATION OF SAID POWER MEANS BY MANIPULATING OF THE SWITCH AT ANY POINT THEREALONG. 